Use of vitamin D supplements during infancy in an international feeding trial

Adherence to Vitamin D Supplementation Recommendations for Breastfed Infants and Young Children: An Analysis of Canadian Community Health Survey Data Cycles From 2015 to 2018

BACKGROUND

In Canada, nutrition policy, as outlined in the Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants recommendations, includes a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 μg (400 IU) for breastfed infants and young children to support adequate vitamin D status.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to report on adherence to vitamin D supplementation recommendations for breastfed infants (≤12 months); and for children breastfed >12 mo.

METHODS

Canadian Community Health Survey (paired-cycles 2015/2016 and 2017/2018) maternal experiences data for infants born 2012-2018 who received any breastmilk formed the sample (n = 7079). Whether the infant was given a vitamin D supplement (yes/no) and the frequency (daily/almost every day, 1-2/wk, or <1/wk) were surveyed. Weighted data (95% CI) were summarized according to breastfeeding history (exclusive to 6 mo and continuing; partial to 6 mo and continuing; and stopped ≤6 mo). Correlates of supplement adherence were explored using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Overall, 87.1% (95% CI: 85.9%, 88.3%) of participants reported giving their infant (≤12 mo) a vitamin D supplement, and of these, 83.3% (95% CI: 81.9%, 84.7%) did so daily/almost every day, 12.4% (95% CI: 11.1%, 13.7%) did so 1-2/wk, and 4.3% (95% CI: 3.6%, 5.0%) did so <1/wk. Lower adjusted odds of adherence were observed among participants reporting: stopped breastfeeding ≤6 mo, lower education or income, recent immigration, and overweight prepregnancy body mass index; higher odds of adherence were observed in the western provinces. Regarding mothers of children >12 mo and breastfed (n = 2312), 58.0% (95% CI: 54.9%, 61.1%) gave a vitamin D supplement daily/almost every day.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to providing a vitamin D supplement to breastfed infants is high in Canada. Nonetheless, we estimate that ∼27% of mothers are nonadherent to daily/almost every day administration of a vitamin D supplement and that adherence declines in children breastfed >12 mo. Further promotion to support uptake of the current guidance may be necessary, particularly for parents of recent immigration or lower socioeconomic status.

Adherence to vitamin D supplementation guidelines in children under five years of age: a systematic literature review

PURPOSE

Despite the presence of guidelines on vitamin D supplementation in infants and young children, little is known about parental adherence to their recommendations. This review aims to summarise the evidence from observational studies investigating adherence to vitamin D supplementation guidelines in children under five years of age.

METHODS

Databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL were searched from January 2000 until July 2022. Qualitative data synthesis was used to summarise evidence on supplementation adherence. The adherence rate was categorised as low, moderate, and high if it was ≤ 50%, between 50 and 70%, and ≥ 70%, respectively.

RESULTS

Eleven studies investigating adherence to eight different vitamin D supplementation guidelines from European countries, USA and Canada were included. The majority of studies were cross-sectional and conducted among infants. Overall, the adherence rate ranged between 14.29% and 95.6%. Low, moderate, and high adherence to supplementation guidelines were reported in six, three, and two studies, respectively.

CONCLUSION

There is generally poor adherence to vitamin D supplementation guidelines in children under five years of age. Nevertheless, the evidence comes from a limited number of studies, mainly conducted in infants, with high methodological heterogeneity in terms of the vitamin D supplementation guideline assessed and the definition of supplementation adherence in the study population. Further research is warranted to identify effective health promotion interventions to increase supplementation adherence and reduce the risk of vitamin D deficiency at this critical life stage.

The burden of vitamin D deficiency in household members of children presenting with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency

BACKGROUND

Micronutrient deficiencies are common among household/family members due to shared lifestyle and dietary habits. The extent of biochemical abnormalities in household members of children presenting with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency remains unknown.

AIM

Investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and biochemical osteomalacia in the mothers and siblings of children presenting with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency.

METHODS

All mothers and sibling of children referred to a single tertiary endocrine centre between January 2018 and December 2021, with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency were investigated prospectively for vitamin D deficiency [defined as 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) < 30nmol/L] and biochemical osteomalacia [vitamin D deficiency and elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and/or parathormone (PTH)] as per clinical guidelines.

REULTS

Ninety-seven family members (68 siblings and 29 mothers) of 29 index cases (median age 1.7 years, 55.5% male) were investigated. The majority (65.5%, n=19) were of Asian ethnic background. The mean (SD) 25OHD levels of the index, maternal and sibling cohorts were 15 (10), 15 (7) and 20 (10) nmol/L respectively. Vitamin D deficiency was noted in 93% of the maternal and 79% of the sibling cohorts. Biochemical osteomalacia was present in 72% of the maternal and 79% of the sibling cohorts. Mothers of infants had significantly lower mean 25OHD levels compared to mothers of older children [11 (n=12) vs 18 nmol/L (n=17) respectively, p=0.006)], most of whom were symptomatic (66.6%, n=8/12). None of the mothers had hypocalcaemia. Among the 10% (n=7) of the siblings with hypocalcaemia, 86% (n=6/7) had concurrent dietary calcium deficiency and 71.4% (n= 5/7) reported symptoms in retrospect. Hypocalcaemic siblings had significantly lower 25OHD (7 vs 15 nmol/L, p<0.001), higher PTH (175 vs 58 ng/L, p<0.001) and ALP (846 vs 318 IU/L, p<0.001), respectively compared to normocalcaemic siblings.

CONCLUSIONS

In view of the substantial morbidity uncovered in household/family members of children diagnosed with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency, we recommend universal supplementation of all risk groups. Biochemical testing and treatment is indicated to replenish stores only in those at highest risk such as mothers of infants, individuals with concurrent dietary calcium deficiency and those with clinical symptoms.

Adherence to the infant vitamin D supplementation policy in Ireland

PURPOSE

From September 2010 until November 2019, Ireland's infant vitamin D supplementation policy recommended administration of 5 μg/day of vitamin D₃ from birth to 12 months to all infants, regardless of feeding method. This study aims to examine policy adherence.

METHODS

In the prospective COMBINE birth cohort study (recruited 2015-2017), detailed longitudinal supplement data were examined in 364 infants across the first year of life, according to product type, dose, frequency, and duration. Vitamin D supplement use at 2, 6, and 12 months in COMBINE was compared with the BASELINE cohort (recruited 2008-2011, n = 1949).

RESULTS

In COMBINE, 92% of infants initiated supplementation at birth. The median supplementation duration was 51 (40, 52) weeks, with a range of 3-52 weeks. While supplementing, most parents (92%) used an exclusive vitamin D supplement as recommended and 88% gave 5 µg/day. Half (51%) gave vitamin D daily and a further 33% supplemented at least 3-6 times/week. Overall, 30% adhered fully to the policy, providing 5 µg vitamin D₃ daily from birth to 12 months. A further 16% were broadly compliant, giving 5 µg frequently for the full 12 months. Vitamin D supplement use at 2, 6, and 12 months in COMBINE was 93%, 89%, and 72%, considerably higher than our earlier BASELINE cohort at 49%, 64%, and 44% at the same time points (all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We report a high level of vitamin D supplementation initiation at birth, with full to broad policy adherence among more than half of infants. There is scope to improve overall compliance by focusing on supplementation frequency.

Vitamin D in Breastfed Infants: Systematic Review of Alternatives to Daily Supplementation

Daily oral vitamin D supplementation (400 IU) is recommended for breastfeeding infants (≤1 y). Recent studies have examined alternative approaches to preventing vitamin D deficiency in this population. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the effects of maternal postpartum (M-PP) or infant intermittent (I-INT) vitamin D supplementation on infant 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations in comparison to routine direct infant daily (I-D) oral supplementation (400 IU). MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, Embase, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to December 2018. Inclusion criteria consisted of published, peer-reviewed, vitamin D intervention trials involving lactating women and/or exclusively or partially breastfed term infants. Two reviewers independently extracted study characteristics (e.g., sample size, intervention dose, and duration and mode of administration) and related biochemical and clinical outcomes. Of 28 included trials, 5 randomized controlled trials were incorporated in meta-analyses examining infant 25(OH)D. Overall, M-PP supplementation resulted in modestly lower infant 25(OH)D compared with I-D supplementation (weighted mean difference = -8.1 nmol/L; 95% CI: -15.4, -0.9; I2 = 45%; P = 0.14; 3 trials), but the 2 most recent trials found M-PP to achieve similar infant 25(OH)D as I-D. Comparison of I-INT with I-D was confined to 2 trials with contradictory findings, and it was considered inappropriate for pooled analysis. Meta-analysis was therefore limited by a small number of eligible trials with variable quality of analytically derived 25(OH)D data and inconsistent reporting of safety outcomes, including effects on calcium homeostasis. Considering all 28 included trials, this systematic review highlights M-PP and I-INT regimens as plausible substitutes for routine daily infant vitamin D supplementation, but evidence remains too weak to support a policy update. Dose-ranging, adequately powered trials are required to establish the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of alternative strategies to prevent vitamin D deficiency in breastfeeding infants. This review was registered with PROSPERO as CRD42017069905.

Vitamin D and the Breastfeeding Infant: Family Medicine Clinicians' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices

BACKGROUND

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Academy of Medicine recommend vitamin D supplementation for breastfeeding infants. However, compliance with this recommendation is poor. Maternal supplementation with vitamin D is a safe and effective alternative to achieving vitamin D sufficiency in breastfeeding infants, and mothers have indicated a preference for self-supplementation over infant supplementation. Research aim: We sought to explore Family Medicine clinicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding vitamin D supplementation recommendations for breastfeeding dyads.

METHODS

Fifty-six Family Medicine clinicians (including faculty physicians, resident physicians, and nurse practitioners/physician assistants) completed an online, anonymous survey regarding their knowledge and practices concerning vitamin D supplementation for breastfeeding infants.

RESULTS

The vast majority of clinicians (92.9%) correctly identified the American Academy of Pediatrics' 2008 recommended dose for vitamin D supplementation in breastfeeding infants and estimated recommending vitamin D supplementation of exclusively breastfeeding infants 70.1% of the time. If all options were equivalent, clinicians would prefer to offer maternal or infant supplementation (50%) or maternal supplementation (37.5%) over infant supplementation (12.5%). Most (69.6%) preferred daily over monthly supplementation regimens.

CONCLUSION

Family Medicine clinicians are knowledgeable regarding current recommendations for vitamin D supplementation in breastfeeding infants. They are also open to recommending maternal supplementation or offering parents a choice of maternal or infant vitamin supplementation.

Vitamin D levels at birth and risk of type 1 diabetes in childhood: a case-control study

AIMS

To assess whether vitamin D levels at birth were associated with risk of having type 1 diabetes up to 10 years of age and the potential modifier effect of ethnic group.

METHODS

The Piedmont Diabetes Registry and the Newborn Screening Regional data were linked to identify cases (n = 67 incident children aged ≤10 years at diabetes onset, 2002-2012) and up to five controls (n = 236) matched for birthday and ethnic group. Cards with neonatal blood spot were used and 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) assessed with tandem mass spectroscopy.

RESULTS

In conditional logistic regression, OR for unit increment of log vitamin D was 0.78 (95 % CI 0.56-1.10). Vitamin D was significantly lower in migrant than in Italian control newborn babies (p < 0.0001), and interaction between vitamin D and migrant status was statistically significant (p = 0.04). Compared to migrant newborns babies with vitamin D ≥ 2.14 ng/ml, migrants with lower levels had an OR of 14.02 (1.76-111.70), whereas no association was evident in Italians.

CONCLUSIONS

Our case-control study within the Piedmont Diabetes Registry showed no association between vitamin D levels at birth and risk of having type 1 diabetes up to 10 years of age, apart from the subgroup of migrant babies, which might have clinical implications if confirmed.